Enslaved - Blodhemn (1998)

This fourth record from Haugesund, Norway's Black/Viking metal extraordinaires sort of served as my introduction to Enslaved quite a few years ago. I look back to sometime in late '99 or so when I bought a Metal Blade compilation titled, 'Blackened IV' and got my first taste of the band with their inclusion of the song, 'I Lenker Til Ragnarok (In Chains Until Ragnarok).' I remember wanting to buy the album right away, but internet perusing and elitist talk lead me back to the bands earlier material, which I don't regret, since its largely my most favorite material from the band. Not long though, I'd get my hands on this album and be in for something of a surprise.

A lot of people see 'Blodhemn' as a bombastic backsliding when compared to their previous and much more epic record, 'Eld.' Forsaking the atmospheric and majestic qualities it beheld, Enslaved went all out and created a total black metal speedy record with 'Blodhemn' that is different, but still quite good, even when paired with their earlier achievements.

The album welcomed new guitarist Roy Kronheim to the band who'd previously not played in any other bands, while Per "Dirge Rep" Husebø who was known for his work in Gehenna took the drum stool. Dirge Rep is a hell of a heavyhitter and his drum work thunderously erupts out of your speakers as you listen to this album. This is largely due to the Abyss Studios recording, which made for a very loud and commanding sort of production as his blast beats topple over you. The guitars are also clean, heady and modern sounding without any hiss or typical black metal lo-fi characteristics tethered to them. The riffs are also more pronounced and memorable than really anything the band had come with previously, although the synths are almost completely absent from the album. Some see this production choice as a good thing, a lot see it as a really bad thing. To me it seems quite clear what the band was trying to do and through the nearly perfect production it was achieved quite well.

In spite of the brutality the album emits, there still is a good selection of cleanly sung parts, which add a more epic feeling, as well, some of the riffs and solos are really something to behold too, especially the ones found in, 'Blodhemn (Vengeance in Blood).' 'Urtical Gods' is also quite simply massive, almost sounding like a blackened thrash number at times, while 'Ansuz Astral' is hard hitting, catchy and majestic all at once. The short but sweet, 'Brisinghamen' is a total pummeler, and the aforementioned, 'I Lenker Til Ragnarok (In Chains Until Ragnarok)' also seems like the perfect "opening song" after the proggy synth intro, 'Audhumla; Birth of the Worlds.' The last song, 'Suttungs Mjød (Suttungs Mead) incl. Outro "Perkulator"' is probably the closest the band comes to 'Eld,' as its quite a bit slower and features only cleanly sung parts, but amongst all the chaos beforehand it also feels somewhat out of place too. Generally though, I enjoy this album quite a bit and I admire the in your face, blasting, and chaotic nature it bestows on my ears.

Yeah, sure, the song writing is simpler than what the bands been doing during the past decade, but I definitely enjoy 'Blodhemn' for what it is. And to me, what it is, is really something of a unique album amongst their other records since none of them sound quite like this one.